EFFECTIVENESS OF MELATONIN IN CHILDREN WITH SLEEP DISORDERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Sleep disorders in childhood are a significant public health problem, with a significant impact on children's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development. Given the growing prevalence and the search for effective therapeutic approaches, melatonin has emerged as a promising pharmacological alternative. This systematic review of the literature, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of sleep disorders in children. The PUBMED, MEDLINE, and LILACS databases were searched, resulting in 256 articles initially identified, of which five met the inclusion criteria. The studies analyzed point to a significant increase in prescriptions of sleep medications for children, especially melatonin, after the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical trials have demonstrated significant improvement in sleep latency and duration, especially in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with a favorable safety profile. Behavioral interventions, however, have shown comparable and sustained long-term efficacy, reinforcing the importance of non-pharmacological strategies as the first line of treatment. Se concluye que el tratamiento de los trastornos del sueño pediátricos debe dar prioridad a las intervenciones conductuales y de higiene del sueño, reservando la melatonina para los casos refractarios o asociados a comorbilidades del neurodesarrollo.